Measurements of Success. History of LA County Fitness for Life Program (FFL)  1970  Mandatory pre-employment and periodic medical exams for all LA county.

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Presentation on theme: "Measurements of Success. History of LA County Fitness for Life Program (FFL)  1970  Mandatory pre-employment and periodic medical exams for all LA county."— Presentation transcript:

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Goals of the FFL Program  Improve the quality of life for safety personnel  Create a working environment conducive to maintaining healthy and physically fit fire fighters  Reduce workers compensation costs and lost workdays

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How Aerobically Fit Does a Firefighter Need To Be? VO2 max (ml/kg/min)Gerkin Treadmill Time (Min:Sec) Description 50+ Optimal > 14:00 Capable of sustaining the most arduous firefighting activity tasks indefinitely with ample margin of reserve. 46 – 50 Recommended 12: :00 Capable of sustaining the most arduous firefighting tasks for a prolonged duration with reasonable margin of reserve. 40 – 45 Marginal 11: :30 Capable of sustaining the most arduous firefighting tasks for several minutes with a near maximal effort. <40 Inadequate <30 Deconditioned < 11:00 < 7:00 Aerobic capacity insufficient to sustain the most arduous firefighting tasks such as stair climbing for more than 3 minutes.

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Cardiovascular Fitness n=2767 out of 2815

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Relationship Between Firefighting Suppression Tasks and Physical Fitness ‘While it can be argued that firefighters do not do sit-ups, push-ups and physical fitness test items during fire Suppression, the present investigation shows that the ability to perform these items is related to overall general conditioning and job related performance.” (Ergonomics - Williford, Duey, Olson, Howard and Wang, 1999)

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Wellness and Fitness Initiative WFI October 2007 – Third Edition of the Wellness and Fitness Initiative will be released New Fitness protocols –Alternative Push-up protocol –New Curl-up protocol New Strength Test –Jump Test

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New WFI Fitness protocols  Optional Tests –Modified Push Up Test (Push Up Stands)  This test was chosen as an alternative to the standard push-up for individuals with a history of wrist or shoulder injury.

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Discussion Are we going to comply with the WFI protocols? When and how are we going to implement these protocols?

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Key Points Understand and communicate the Vision Don’t be confined by “the box” Celebrate successful “small steps” Ensure quality of care and confidentiality Wellness must be a priority for all stakeholders involved